Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier this morning, Alliance for a Better Vermont joined President Pro Tempore Becca Balint of Windham County, Chittenden County State Senator Kesha Ram, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, and Newport educator Aimee Alexander to call on Governor Scott to address the current public health crisis resulting from his inaction. The Alliance is calling vaccinating the Vermont prison population. The Northeast Vermont Correctional Facility in Newport has seen the most recent outbreak.

Vermont Business Magazine Efficiency Vermont has named longtime staff leader and lifelong Vermonter Carol Weston as the energy efficiency utility’s new director. Weston has been with Efficiency Vermont for nearly a decade, most recently serving as Efficiency Vermont’s Director of Operations. Weston will replace former Efficiency Vermont Director Rebecca Foster, who is transitioning to the role of CEO of VEIC – the Winooski-based non-profit organization that operates Efficiency Vermont under an order of appointment from the Vermont Public Utility Commission. Foster will continue to work closely with Efficiency Vermont leadership in her new role.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police today becomes the first statewide law-enforcement agency in the country to sign on to the 30x30 Pledge — a series of low- and no-cost actions that police agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement. The actions will help policing agencies assess the current state of a department regarding gender equity; identify factors that may be driving any disparities; and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) announced Thursday that the state’s 11 federally qualified health centers will receive $33.37 million to expand access to vaccines, provide for ongoing testing and treatment, and ensure Vermonters are getting the care they need to recover from the hardship of the past year. This funding will be provided to health centers as a result of the American Rescue Plan, the stimulus package enacted earlier this month to provide relief and further address the health and economic crises we face.

Vermont Business Magazine Major General Greg Knight, Vermont Adjutant General, and other members of Vermont National Guard leadership will discuss and answer questions on a number of topics related to the Guard on Thursday, March 25 at 6 pm. Highlighted topics of the night will include: burn pit registration, F-35 training and conversion timeline, deployments and COVID-19 support to the state. There will also be an open Q&A period.

Vermont Business Magazine The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD) has hired Lisa Liotta as its new General Manager. Liotta comes with over 25 years in business management as CVSWMD’s former ARCC Operations Manager, a Park Manager with Vermont State Parks, and lead business and analyst roles as an independent consultant and in private industry. Liotta is replacing former CVSWMD General Manager Cathleen Gent, who is retiring in April.

Vermont Business Magazine The Climate Action Film Festival (CAFF) by SunCommon wrapped up two weeks of digital events last week. The festival consisted of six days of short films, a feature film and nightly panel discussions with filmmakers and activists from around the world. Hundreds of people tuned in for each of the evening programs. This year’s CAFF was a donation based event and raised over $9000 that will be split between 350 Vermont and NY Renews to support their climate advocacy work in 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Starting tomorrow (Thursday, March 25) at 8:15 am, Vermonters age 60 and older will be able to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Going online to healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine is the fastest way to make an appointment, and there are enough slots at sites throughout Vermont for everyone who is eligible. The VDH is reporting today 89 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths for 222 statewide. Over 180,000 Vermonters (33.2 percent of adults) have received at least one dose of vaccine.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has announced the acquisition and impending opening of two new Credit Union branch locations. The first branch is located at One Carmichael Street in Essex. The facility, which is located in the Essex Town Center, will provide members and residents of the surrounding community with easy access to a full suite of financial services including a multi-lane drive-thru and 24-hour ATM access. The branch is expected to open to the public early June 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Timberlake Associates, L.L.P. and C-Store Contracting, LTD., owners and operators of a Truck Depot facility in South Burlington, were fined $20,000 for multiple violations of Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Rules.

Vermont Business Magazine On a vote of 22-8, the Vermont Senate gave its final approval today to legislation (S.51) that would make important changes to state campaign finance law. Most significantly under S.51, only individuals, political committees, and political parties would be allowed make political contributions to candidates. The bill would increase transparency in campaign finance as well, by requiring political committees (a.k.a. PACs) to include the name of any connected organization in the name of the PAC.